Context, It's all about context. Leading on from my last post dicussing design as art, I had a discussion about why Central Station Design, one of the most innovative factory designers could not be considered art. Despite them being labeled so in the credits of the album cover for Pills, Thrills and Bellyaches. Referencing the fact that Andy Warhol, designed record sleeves but was also an artist. It was found to be all about context. It is art because it is in a gallery and it is not art because it is in record shops.
however, linking to my theme of post modernism, it is about changing context. Post Modern designers repurposed the great and good of years of visual history for their projects. Famous examples that I have mentioned before include;
- the icon from a dada magazine into a 7 inch single cover for New Order.
- a fruit in the fruit bowl becomes a suggestive icon on the the Velvet Underground and Nico album.
- a still life painting becomes a juxtaposition to pioneering electronic music by New Order.
- a scientific diagram becomes a logo for the band Joy Division.
- taking an explict collage to put on a 7inch single by Buzzcocks
So if we are still post modern as a society, record covers shoud be considered art and there is evidence all around to show that this is being done. Secret 7's shows all of sleeve designs in a gallery prior to sale. Revolutions: From Gatefold to Download, the Art of the Album Cover was held in 2009, covering all of the importnat designers and designs. Its not just a collection designers that get exhibitions Storm Thorgerson was given a show at the Idea Generation Gallery after his death as a tribute to his work.
No comments:
Post a Comment